Calla lily plant named ‘Capitola’

ABSTRACT

‘Capitola’ is a new variety of calla lily plant having red-purple colored spathes that are positioned above the foliage. The flower stems are strong and long lasting. The leaves are green with no maculations present.

Botanical classification: Zantedeschia sprengeri.

Varietal denomination: ‘Capitola’.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW PLANT

The present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar of calla lily, botanically known as Zantedeschia sprengeri and hereinafter referred to by the cultivar name ‘Capitola’.

‘Capitola’ is a product of a planned breeding program having the objective of creating Zantedeschia varieties for pot flower production in a wide range of colors and classic flower shapes. ‘Capitola’ was selected in 2008 in Moss Landing, Calif. as an inbred seedling selected from an open-pollinated population and self-pollinated for many generations. As such, its exact parentage is unknown and comparisons thereto cannot be provided.

The new variety was first asexually reproduced through tissue culture shoot propagation in October of 2011 in Moss Landing, Calif. Asexual reproductions of ‘Capitola’ have demonstrated that the combination of characteristics as herein disclosed for the new variety are retained and reproduced true to type through successive generations of asexual reproduction.

The following observations, measurements and comparisons describe plants grown in 15 cm pots at 65 days from planting in 't Zand, The Netherlands under greenhouse conditions which approximate those generally used in horticultural practice. Color references are made to The 2001 R.H.S. Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society of London, 4^(th) Edition, except where general color terms of ordinary significance are used.

The present invention has not been evaluated under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype may vary with variations in environment without a change in the genotype of the plant.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and determined to be basic characteristics of ‘Capitola’ which, in combination, distinguish this calla lily as a new and distinct cultivar:

-   -   1. Red-purple colored spathes;     -   2. Inflorescences are positioned above the foliage; and     -   3. Firm, long-lasting peduncles.

Table 1 provides a comparison of ‘Capitola’ to similar Zantedeschia sprengeri varieties ‘Garnet Glow’ (unpatented), ‘California Red’ (unpatented), and ‘Flirt’ (unpatented).

TABLE 1 Comparison Differing Comparison Present variety variety trait(s) expression expression ‘Garnet Glow’ Peduncle Early flower Erect peduncles with strength nodding no nodding observed at 21 days ‘California Red’ Spathe Red Group Between Red-Purple color RHS 46A Group RHS 59A-59B Flowering 78 days to 68 days to flower time flower ‘Flirt’ Leaf Present None present maculations

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The accompanying photographic drawing illustrates the new variety at 65 days from planting, with the colors being as nearly true as is possible with color illustrations of this type.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW PLANT

-   Type: Deciduous. -   Form: Semi-spreading. -   Average spread: 40-49 cm. -   Branch number: Average. -   Branch color: Yellow-Green Group RHS 145A to 145B. -   Height of leaf canopy above the soil: 24-29 cm. -   Height of top of inflorescences above the soil: 36-42 cm. -   Number of inflorescences per tuber:     -   -   18-20 cm in diameter.—7-13. -   Lastingness of inflorescences on the plant: About 14 days. -   Main use: Potted plant. -   Average time of flowering: Tubers planted in the field in May in 't     Zand, The Netherlands bloom in July. Tubers planted in a greenhouse     in February in 't Zand, The Netherlands bloom in April. -   Disease/pest resistance: Moderate tolerance to Pythium root rot and     Erwinia bulb soft rot. -   Hardiness: Not tested. -   Leaves:     -   -   Number per plant.—23-51.         -   Width.—4.5-7 cm, with broadest position in the middle.         -   Length.—23-30 cm.         -   Shape.—Lanceolate.         -   Apex.—Apiculate.         -   Base.—Attenuate.         -   Margin.—Entire.         -   Color.—Upper surface: Green Group RHS 137B to 137C, with no             maculations present. Lower surface: Green Group RHS 143A to             143B, with no maculations present.         -   Surface texture.—Smooth (both surfaces).         -   Leaf venation.—Pattern: Pinnate. Color: Yellow-Green Group             RHS 144A to 144B.         -   Lobes.—None present.         -   Petiole.—Length: 23-28 cm. Diameter: 12-15 mm. Texture:             Smooth. Shape: Cylindrical. Strength: Medium. Color: Upper             surface: Green Group RHS 143B to 143C. Lower surface:             Yellow-Green Group RHS 144C to 144D. -   Spathe:     -   -   Position.—Above the foliage.         -   Length.—4.5-7 cm.         -   Width.—4-5 cm.         -   Fragrance.—None.         -   Shape.—Leaf-like.         -   Texture.—Smooth.         -   Apex.—Apiculate.         -   Base.—Amplexicaul.         -   Margin.—Entire.         -   Color.—Throat spot: Red-Purple Group RHS 72B. Upper surface:             Red-Purple Group RHS 71A to 71B. Lower surface: Red-Purple             Group RHS 70B to 70C. -   Spadix:     -   -   Length.—25-40 mm.         -   Diameter.—8-11 mm.         -   Color.—Yellow Group RHS 13B to 13C.         -   Position relative to spathe.—Upright from base.         -   Apex.—Rounded and Yellow Group RHS 4C to 4D.         -   Pollen amount.—Abundant. -   Peduncle:     -   -   Strength.—Strong and erect, with no nodding observed until             day 21.         -   Length.—37-43 cm.         -   Diameter.—11-17 mm.         -   Texture.—Smooth.         -   Color.—Base: Yellow-Green Group RHS 144C to 144D. Upper             portion: Yellow-Green Group RHS 144A to 144B. -   Seeds:     -   -   Number/flower.—17.         -   Length.—3.7-5.8 mm.         -   Diameter.—2.5-5.1 mm.         -   Color.—White Group RHS 155C. -   Reproductive organs:     -   -   Anther.—Shape: Round. Length: Less than 1 mm. Color: Yellow             Group RHS 8C to 8D.         -   Filament.—Length: Less than 1 mm. Color: White Group RHS             155D.         -   Style.—Length: Less than 1 mm. Color: Yellow Group RHS 8C to             8D.         -   Pistil.—Number: 15-30. Length: About 1 mm.         -   Stigma.—Shape: Round. Length: Less than 1 mm. Diameter: Less             than 1 mm.         -   Ovaries.—Texture: Smooth. Length: Varies between 1 to 10 mm.             Diameter: Varies between 1 to 10 mm. Color: Top: Yellow             Group RHS 8A to 8B. Bottom: Red-Purple Group RHS 62A to 62B. 

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of calla lily plant named ‘Capitola’ as herein described and illustrated. 